MEDIA
About Classical
Classical Charter Schools is a National Blue Ribbon Award winning network founded in 2006 in one of our nation’s most untapped congressional districts to address the South Bronx’s stark inequality of access to education. Through a classical curriculum and highly structured setting, Classical prepares K-8th grade students to become liberated scholars and citizens of impeccable character who achieve proficiency in and advanced mastery of New York State Performance Standards.
| As a whole, Classical outperforms 97% of public schools in New York City, and over 90% of schools in New York State. | South Bronx Classical Charter School II was one of 362 outstanding public and non-public schools recognized as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools, which was its first year of eligibility. |
| 97% of all Classical scholars passed the 2019 New York State Math Exam, and 70% of them passed with the highest score possible. | Nearly two-thirds of Classical’s teaching staff join through the ClassiCorps Teaching Fellowship where they have a direct, meaningful impact on scholar achievement in their first year of teaching. |
| Classical’s new proprietary data application, Novus provides Classical Faculty with better, more targeted analysis saving each teacher approximately 173 hours a year. | A total of 52,700 students are currently on New York City charter school waitlists. Classical Charter Schools alone has a current waiting list of 7,000 students. |
| In 2020, Classical Charter Schools received 5,000 kindergarten & 1st grade applications for only a little over 300 available seats. Over 89% of Classical Charter Schools’ students live below the poverty line, and 98% are African-American or Hispanic. |
Photo Gallery
Photo credit for all images: Marta Skovro
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Latest News
BronxNet – OPEN
Host Daren Jaime sits with the Executive Director of Classical Charter Schools, Lester Long discussing the initiatives Classical Charter Schools are taking to protect students and teachers with schools returning in the fall with blended learning. Click here to hear more.
BronxTimes – Jason Cohen
On July 15, Classical Charter Schools released a new, student-led interview with Assemblyman Victor Pichardo on a classroom podcast. During the discussion, three middle school students talk about the importance of the U.S Census and the impact on Bronx residents. Click here to read more.
To listen to the full interview on Classical’s podcast, “Heard from Home”, click here.
BronxTimes – By Jason Cohen
Students from Classical Charter Schools hosted a virtual Black Lives Matter protest for Juneteenth, which featured a sing along to Andra Day’s hit song, “Rise Up.”
The event, which was broadcast live on YouTube, was hosted by middle schoolers Adelaide and Amarachi, who answered questions on race and protests from other students. The full protest video can be viewed here. The sing along portion by students and faculty can be viewed here. Click here to read more.
New York Post – Selim Algar
A dead language is bringing these Bronx kids to life.
Students at Classical Charter Schools are all taught Latin – and more than a quarter of the network’s kids scored at the highest tier on a recent national exam on the ancient tongue. While they initially question the devotion of time to a bygone language, network teachers said students soon become absorbed in the distant worlds of Aristotle and Plato. Click here to read more.
Mornings on 1 – Spectrum News NY1
Classical Charter Schools hosted Harlem Globetrotter and Amazing Race contestant Herbert “Flight Time” Lang last week as part of a remote learning series featuring prominent figures in sports, politics, media, and more. Flight Time has appeared on the Amazing Race and popular TV shows such as “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “The Bachelorette”. A worldclass basketball ball-handler and dribbler, Lang spoke to a fifth grade class of more than 20 students about the importance of goal-setting.
Mornings on 1 – Spectrum News NY1
Classical Charter Schools hosted Masai Ujiri, President of the reigning NBA Champion Toronto Raptors as part of a remote learning series featuring prominent figures in sports, politics, media, and more.
Chalkbeat – By Reema Amin
These so-called “Recognition Schools,” which state officials announced on Thursday, must have shown high academic achievement and substantial progress over the 2018-2019 school year. Of those in New York City, 35 are charters, and the rest are district schools. Classical Charter Schools is honored to make the list. Click to read more.
The Daily News – Erin Linnehan
With COVID-19’s impact reverberating across the globe, it has been a particularly intense and challenging time for educators. In this op-ed, School Leader Fellow, Erin Linnehan, breaks down some lessons we can all learn from this crisis. Click to read more.
Chalkbeat – Gabrielle Birkner
Grade Team Leader, Michael Urda, shares advice for how teachers in the South Bronx and around the country can manage remote learning during these difficult times. Click to read more.
BronxNet – OPEN
Host Daren Jaime sits with the Executive Director of Classical Charter Schools to discuss how the school focuses on fundamentals. Click to read more.
News12 The Bronx
Students at South Bronx Classical II are stepping outside of their comfort zones & speaking in an ancient language. Click to read more.
Spectrum News NY1 – Jillian Jorgensen
At South Bronx Classical Charter School II, educators take an old-school approach to education, so old-school, it’s ancient. Click to read more.
Bronx Times – Patrick Rocchio
South Bronx Classical IV Charter School held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, July 18 on a new building at 757 Concourse Village West that will allow for the expansion of the school to serve kindergarten – eighth grade. Click to read more.
Bronx News 12
Classical Charter School IV will soon be getting its first home of its own. Representatives from the school and Civic Builders broke ground on their new facility. Click to read more.
the74million.org – Charles Sahm
Out of the spotlight, in one of America’s poorest neighborhoods, a growing network of schools is driving big results for NYC students. Click to read more.
Bronx Times – Robert Wirsing
Classical Charter Schools in the South Bronx joined schools across the nation in celebrating National Charter Schools Week from Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18. Click to read more.
Press Releases
Press Inquiries
Media Contact
Leeanna Cota, Brand Strategy Manager
Email: lcota@southbronxclassical.org
For information on how to access our public records,
please review our FOIL policy
Press Releases
Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri Speaks with Students During Covid-19 Remote Learning Series
NYS recognizes six Bronx charter schools as ‘recognition schools’ for academic excellence
Bronx charter public school students excel at National Latin Exams
Bronx public charter schools celebrate National School Choice Week
South Bronx Classical Charter School II recognized as 2019 National Blue Ribbon school
